Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is
in this document.
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) driving and operating firefighting vehicles to respond to incidents like structural fires, airfield crashes, hazardous material incidents; 2) performing emergency patient care, for example monitoring vital signs, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or automatic external defibrillation (AED), controlling bleeding and immobilizing fractures; AND 3) mentoring others on emergency response to fires, accidents or hazardous materials incidents. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
Maximum Entry Age: Employees hired for the first time ("originally hired") into GS-0081 positions must not exceed the established Maximum Entry Age (MEA) at the time of appointment. The MEA for Firefighters (FFs) is 37. An employee originally hired into a covered FF position must be hired by the last day of the month he/she reaches 37 unless a waiver from Department of Army is approved prior to appointment.
Physical Effort/Working Conditions: Rigorous, heavy physical effort is required in the frequent handling of objects such as cylinders and extinguishers weighing 50 lbs or more; may be required to lift/carry personnel such as an adult male in emergency situations. Duties require the full use of both arms, both legs and fingers to bend, turn, pull, crawl, kneel, and climb for such tasks as use of aerial ladders, firefighting equipment controls, arranging/connecting hoses, rappelling, operation of fire truck and all types of rescue operations, etc. The incumbent must be able to meet and maintain physical agility and stamina standards, which are established for this position.This position requires the employee to work under adverse environmental conditions. When responding to an emergency the incumbent may be subject to dense smoke, flames, extreme heat, cold, dust, water, and possible explosions and exposure to toxic fumes and materials. Must be able to maintain necessary alertness, self-control, and emotional stability under emergency conditions.